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Transit Union Has to Promise Never to Strike Again

Friday, November 02, 2007

The MTA is willing to let the transit union collect dues from its members again unless it threatens another strike. The union lost its right to automatically take dues from members' paychecks after the illegal citywide transit strike in 2005.

SOFFIN: We do need the union and can't afford to cripple them at this point and that we have worked productively, but at the same time there needs to be continuing recognition that the pain of the strike has not worn off.

REPORTER: However, Mayor Bloomberg is urging a judge to keep the strike penalty in place until the union's leaders promise never to engage in another strike.

On his weekly radio show today on WABC, Bloomberg said he's trying to protect the working people of the city. Meanwhile, the union claims it has met the judge's requirement by recognizing state law prohibits public employees from striking. A judge will hear arguments next week.

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Beth Fertig is the contributing editor for education, covering the New York City public school system for WNYC on air and online at SchoolBook.org. She has covered education in the city for more than 15 years. Beth is the author of Why cant u teach me 2 read? Three Students and a Mayor Put Our Schools to the Test (FSG Books) which grew out of a radio series on the low graduation rate for special education students. Follow her @bethfertig.

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